Earlier this week, actor Michael Caine officially announced that he is retiring. His first film appearance was in 1950’s Morning Departure as a Teaboy, since then Caine consistently gave remarkable performances that earned him the status of a Hollywood legend. Now, at the age of 90, the actor has a valid reason for retirement.
Another prominent Hollywood figure who is still active in his 90s is actor and director Clint Eastwood. He is well-known for his distinctive style of directing movies but his last movie, Cry Macho (2021), underperformed at the box office. Are these subtle hints that Eastwood should now leave this life behind?
Michael Caine announced his retirement
In his recent interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today, actor Michael Caine revealed that he is officially done with acting. The actor said,
“I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well, I am now.”
At the age of 17, Caine made his feature film debut in director Roy Ward Baker’s 1950 movie Morning Departure. His first significant role came in 1964’s Zulu, in which he played Lt. Gonville Bromhead. He became widely popular among the younger audience with his work as Alfred Pennyworth in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy.
Should Clint Eastwood take notes from Michael Caine?
Further in the interview, Caine explained why he is finally retiring, explaining that he is trying to end things on a good note,
“I’ve figured, I’ve had a picture where I’ve played the lead and had incredible reviews… What am I going to do that will beat this? The only parts I’m liable to get now are 90-year-old men. Or maybe 85. They’re not going to be the lead. You don’t have leading men at 90, you’re going to have young handsome boys and girls. So I thought, I might as well leave with all this. I thought, ‘I’m ahead here, I may do a little part and get a bad review…’ So I thought, ‘Why not leave now?’ So I’ve left.”
Only a few actors in the industry are still active in their 90s, including actor and director Clint Eastwood. Although Eastwood does most of the work behind the camera now, his last movie, Cry Macho (2021) wasn’t a massive hit compared to his previous flicks. As of now, he shows no signs of stopping as he has his 2024 film, Juror #2, lined up.